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Helps maintain a balanced nutrient-limited marine aquarium by enabling the hobbyist to enhance the rate of microbial growth and reproduction, increasing the rate of phosphate-reduction and denitrification; this is of particular benefit in heavily-stocked, well-fed reef aquaria.

Replaces “vodka method” of microbial activity- enhancement with a completely safe and biologically-sound, non-flammable alternative to using vodka or ethanol.

Indirectly benefits corals and other suspension- feeding invertebrates by encouraging reproduction of bacterioplankton (an important food source for suspension-feeding invertebrates).

Encourages polyp-expansion in all corals.

May be used to help expedite biological filtration in new set-ups.

Formulated by a marine scientist.

Technical BackgroundThe concept of biological filtration is simply to utilize living organisms to remove substances from aquatic systems as a natural result of their respiration and metabolic processes. This mode of filtration is at work in any aquarium system housing live organisms, though microbes (e.g. various types of bacteria) are arguably responsible for the majority of nutrient-remineralization that takes place; oceanographic studies have shown that up to 90% of the dissolved organic carbon present in seawater may be assimilated by planktonic bacteria (bacterioplankton) into new biomass. This nutrient assimilation simultaneously removes nitrogen (as ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate) and phosphorus (as phosphate) from the water, making bacterioplankton a very effective sink of dissolved organic material that would otherwise fuel the growth of organisms such as cyanobacteria and filamentous algae in aquaria.

Bacterioplankton are also an important food source for organisms that are able to capture them from the water column. In a sense, utilizing these microbes to control dissolved organic material and then gradually removing the microbes themselves on a continuous basis through protein skimming and the feeding activities of corals, clams, tube worms, tunicates, sponges, and their respective allies, becomes an effective means of nutrient-harvest. Simultaneously, it promotes the health of these suspension-feeding organisms through constant feeding (encouraging polyp-expansion in many types of corals), and promotes water quality. The entire process requires that adequate carbon be present in a usable form. In aquaria with a tendency towards elevated phosphate and nitrate concentrations, an appropriate source of carbon may quickly become depleted. Reef BioFuel provides a source of bioavailable carbon to ensure that nutrient remineralization is efficient and effective.

Instructions and Guidelines:Shake product well before using. The main goal of using Reef BioFuel is to provide a source of organic carbon to bacterioplankton, enabling them to assimilate available phosphate and nitrate into new biomass (removing these nutrients from the water column and making them unavailable for uptake by cyanobacteria and algae); the resulting increase in bacterioplankton biomass is then removed from the aquarium via protein skimming and through the feeding activities of suspension-feeding invertebrates such as corals, clams, tube worms, tunicates, sponges, and their respective allies. In this fashion, good water quality is maintained, a food source is provided to many aquarium inhabitants, and a large percentage of the assimilated nutrients are directly removed from the system (via protein skimming). Do not use this product in any aquarium in which active and effective protein skimming is not in use. The skimmer may be turned off for a few (e.g. 2 - 6) hours following addition of Reef BioFuel to the aquarium to enable nutrient uptake and assimilation, whereupon skimming should be resumed; the use of a timer and automated doser to control protein skimming and dosing is a simple and effective means of accomplishing this. Alternately, the product may be effectively employed without turning skimming off at all. Grossly overdosing Reef BioFuel will not significantly increase the effectiveness of the product, nor the rate at which it enacts changes in aquaria; in fact, it may have a deleterious effect on water quality if not used as directed. The following recommendations are based upon extensive testing and will produce the best results in most aquaria; dosage may be adjusted according to perceived benefit to aquarium with time.

Medium- to High-nutrient Systems: Add 5 ml (1 capful) per 50 US-gallons (189.3 L) [˜2 drops per gallon (3.8 L)] of aquarium water daily. Monitor concentrations of phosphate and nitrate with accurate test kits; phosphate and nitrate should eventually become immeasurable (or nearly so) when a balance is reached between the rates of nutrient-input and nutrient-assimilation. Thereafter, switch to “low-nutrient” dosage (below). Low-nutrient Systems: Add 5 ml (1 capful) per 100 US-gallons (378.5 L) [˜1 drop per gallon (3.8 L)] of aquarium water daily. With time, hobbyists may determine that decreasing the dosage and/or dosing frequency by up to 50% sufficiently maintains a low-nutrient environment. During changes in biological filtration or when increasing the aquarium bioload, dose 1 drop per 50 US-gallons daily for one week, then resume “low-nutrient” dosage.

Product Manuals & Documentation

Manufacturer Info

Brightwell Aquatics Aquarium SuppliesThe goal of Brightwell Aquatics is to provide the absolute highest quality, scientifically-sound products and customer service of any aquarium water care manufacturer, and to do it all in a straight-forward and honorable fashion. All Brightwell products are formulated by marine scientists with a passion for the aquarium hobby. They utilize the highest purity ingredients in concentrations that provide the most use to hobbyists. Nearly all Brightwell Aquatics products are over 99.9% pure. The usage guidelines of Brightwell Aquatics products are written in plain language but the company is always available to answer consumer questions. All products are lot numbered for quality control and customer service.

Works as described, but will not work unless you have a protein skimmer, tried to use in quarantine tank no results. But works well in show tank, my results were 1/2 oz. per day puts my 90 gallon at a range of 20 to 40
ppm. Only reason 4 stars is no working unless you have a protein skimmer.

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CoralNerd from FULLERTON, CA UNITED STATES

10/26/2015

Experience Level: Intermediate

Phosphate Buster

Wow, I tested my phosphates as I had a hunch they were running high. Hanna phosphate checker showed 0.17, I dosed a cap full into my 100g and the very next day test showed 0. Next time I think I will dose a 1/2 cap as it worked so good.

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MARLON LOPEZ from PHOENIX, AZ UNITED STATES

10/07/2015

Experience Level: Intermediate

Perfect companion

After using microbacter7 and getting great results, I decided to use reef bio fuel and got amazing results right away when used according to instructions on bottle. Skimmer is on overdrive, never seen it skim so much junk out of the water, and has made tank water look clear with minimal water changes. Must have in conjunction with microbacter7 to see amazing results. No nitrates, phosphates and no algae in display tank. Highly recommend this product!

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JON NORRIS from GRANADA HILLS, CA UNITED STATE

08/22/2014

Experience Level: Expert

Great Supplement

This is an amazing product. My first time using it and already seeing great signs of growth on my hard and soft corals. Use as directed and you will be as happy as I am with this product!

2 out of 2 found this review helpful

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THOMAS COTE from DUNELLEN, NJ UNITED STATES

08/16/2014

Experience Level: Expert

Brightwell Bio-fuel

Absolutely the best product I have ever used. Follow instructions and you will see phenomenal results.I had a big problem with hair algae, no matter what I did I would not go away. It was growing like weeds. I put this in and in two days it was all gone- unbelievable.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful

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Ev from ENCINITAS, CA UNITED STATES

05/25/2014

Experience Level: Intermediate

Wow and whoa!

Great product but you can also dose a few mls of acetic acid (distilled vinegar from grocery store) per 50 gallons to get the same results. Btw, this is the "proprietary" formula used as a carbon source to feed beneficial microbes. It helps to have a chemistry major in this hobby ;-) In any case, Brightwell deserves to 4 stars-5 stars for their efforts to help the common aquarist.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful

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LINDA CHIAPPONE from NORTH TONAWANDA, NY UNITED STA

09/23/2012

Experience Level: Intermediate

Biofuel Liquid

Good stuff. Should be used with Microbacter 7
Nitrates starting to go down

1 out of 1 found this review helpful

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DAVID OTTE from AURORA, CO UNITED STATES

12/22/2011

Experience Level: Expert

Biofuel is great

Biofuel is a great product for reducing phosphates and nitrates slowly.
Phosphates were 2.0ppm prior to dosing. After one week of dosing every
24hrs, phosphates are at .5ppm. Water looks great and all corals,inverts
And fish are extremely happy.

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JOSHUA HERNANDEZ from CHICAGO, IL UNITED STATES

08/21/2009

Experience Level: Intermediate

Reef BioFuel

My water quality has consistently remained at a high level with the addition of Reef BioFuel. I use it in conjunction with Brightwell's MicroBacter-7. I test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and my test kits indicate there are zero traces of each. My corals have opened up more and look much fuller.